TEAMSTERS APPLAUD TSA REVERSAL
OF KNIVES ON PLANES POLICY
Opposition From Teamsters, Airline Workers Led TSA To Keep Knives Off Planes
(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union today lauded the Transportation Security Administration for reversing its plan to allow knives on planes after facing months of fierce opposition, saying the move ensures the continued safety of flight attendants, pilots and the flying public.
“Airline employees and their passengers made it clear that there is no place for dangerous weapons on airplanes,” said Teamsters General James P. Hoffa. “We commend TSA for hearing those real concerns of workers on the front lines and rethinking the agency’s position. We will all be safer because of it.”
The Teamsters Union is part of a coalition of unions representing 90,000 flight attendants that fought the proposal to allow knives of up to 2.36 inches on planes. First announced in March, TSA’s proposed rule would have permitted knives in the cabin of passenger airplanes for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Teamsters and its coalition filed a legal challenge to prevent the knives from coming on board and legislation was introduced in Congress.
“This decision marks a big victory for airline workers and the flying public,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “The current rules, which allow knives to be included in checked luggage, have been shown to work. There is no reason to change course from the safety measures put in place after September 11th.”